The opportunity in this crisis is that we are figuring out, collectively, how to live together with our differences and diversity.

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For humanity to recover, to build back better, we must face squarely our inequalities, and not shrink away from real discussion of our differences.  Discussions with empathy and compassion, with respect for difference and a desire to learn, to listen and to be better, together.  There is unity in our diversity, but we need to work together to find it.  

Rather than contract during this difficult time, we need to reach out, engage with others, and find our solidarity.  Pluralism is the choice, the positive action to build on our extraordinary diversities as a society and together build something that is better, more inclusive, more equitable and more just.  We can do this, we must do this, and we must do it together, across our different cultures, languages, religions, traditions, ideologies, perspectives.  The opportunity in this crisis is that we are having these difficult discussions and figuring out, collectively, how to live together with our differences and with our diversity, build stronger societies.

OUR SPEAKER

Meredith Preston McGhie

Meredith Preston McGhie has devoted more than 20 years to addressing conflict and instability in Africa and Asia in some of the most troubled situations. From working with the Naga in Northeast India and indigenous communities on the Thai-Myanmar border, to supporting UN efforts in Kosovo, Northern Iraq and several African countries, her work has straddled frontline negotiation, policy and diplomacy.

She became the Global Centre for Pluralism’s Secretary General on October 1, 2019. Most recently, as Africa Regional Director with the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue, she oversaw the HD Centre’s complex mediation and dialogue efforts in Nigeria, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Sudan, Somalia and South Sudan, among other places. In the Kenyan National Dialogue and Reconciliation Process in 2007-08, she advised the Panel of Eminent African Personalities led by the late Kofi Annan. She has contributed annually to the Oslo Forum, a gathering of the world’s leading experts and policymakers in conflict resolution, and teaches mediation practice internationally.  She is a member of the Women Mediators Across the Commonwealth and serves as a member of the Steering Committee.

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